1. Yep! EDIT: Sorry, missed the second part of this question. Ab couple of days, probably. It's an intense process similar to a centrifuge.
2. It's a bit of both, yes.
They wouldn't let Tony see the process, no. It's their most valuable resource and Zeshora is the only place it's found, so Crest or not they probably won't let a Foreigner into those factories. They won't be dicks about it, they just would let him know that it's not a visitor's right.
Re: STAND BACK, I'M GOING TO TRY SCIENCE
2. It's a bit of both, yes.
They wouldn't let Tony see the process, no. It's their most valuable resource and Zeshora is the only place it's found, so Crest or not they probably won't let a Foreigner into those factories. They won't be dicks about it, they just would let him know that it's not a visitor's right.